Islamabad, Shawwal 8, 1435, Aug 4, 2014, SPA -- At least seven Uzbek militants and two soldiers were killed Monday in a shootout in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan region, the military said. The clashes, which took place in Datta Khel, come over a month into a military operation to cleanse the tribal area of local and foreign insurgents, dpa quoted the military as saying. The army said the offensive was "progressing well" and that it had retaken several rebel strongholds, including the towns of Miranshah and Mirali. More than 570 militants and over 35 soldiers have been killed since the start of the operation, according to the army. --SPA 18:23 LOCAL TIME 15:23 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w